Word
airline
Phoneticsair·line, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɛɹˌɫaɪn/
UK/ˈeəlaɪn/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a company that provides regular flights for people or goods. You use this word when talking about businesses like Delta, Ryanair, or Emirates.
n. a commercial enterprise providing scheduled air transport services for passengers or freight.
Examples
“The airline offers cheap flights to Europe.”
“Most passengers choose their airline based on a combination of ticket price and baggage allowance.”
“The national airline faced significant financial pressure after a series of strikes led to the cancellation of hundreds of international flights during the peak holiday season.”
Examples
simple
“The airline offers cheap flights to Europe.”
contextual
“Most passengers choose their airline based on a combination of ticket price and baggage allowance.”
complex
“The national airline faced significant financial pressure after a series of strikes led to the cancellation of hundreds of international flights during the peak holiday season.”
Usage
Often used as a noun adjunct to modify other nouns, such as in 'airline industry' or 'airline pilot'.
Etymology
From air + line.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/airline